When looking at the power forward position for the Philadelphia 76ers, there’s the question that arises of who’s better at the position?
Al Horford is one of the new members of the Philadelphia 76ers for this season. His fit on the team has been a topic of debate since the Sixers signed the 33-year-old to a four year deal. Horford has played center for most of his career, but now he will be starting at the power forward spot for the 76ers. There’s no doubt that he is a good player, but is he best option on the team for the starting power forward role?
Recently, Horford’s sister Anna Horford tweeted about an argument she had with another person about who would be better suited for the power forward spot, her brother or Tobias Harris. Sadly, the tweet has since been taken down, but it does raise an important question about the role entering this year.
Both Harris and Horford will be playing out of position this season with Harris manning the small forward spot and Horford at the four. However, Harris is much more familiar with the power forward role than Horford. Horford has played only 17.0 percent of his career at the stretch four spot, versus Harris who has played the role of power forward for 70.0 percent of his career. When it comes to familiarity with the duties that come at that position, Harris has more experience.
Its more than just being familiar with the position when it comes to determining who’s better at the power forward spot. Stats from both players last season reveal a lot about their strengths and weaknesses as stretch big men.
| Rk | Player | Season | Age | MP | FG% | 3P% | 2P% | eFG% | FT% | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tobias Harris | 2018-19 | 26 | 34.7 | .487 | .397 | .528 | .549 | .866 | 7.9 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 20.0 |
| 2 | Al Horford | 2018-19 | 32 | 29.0 | .535 | .360 | .604 | .586 | .821 | 6.7 | 4.2 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 13.6 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 9/23/2019.
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Harris is clearly the more versatile and an explosive offensive player of the two, while also proving to be the better rebounder as well. However, Horford is an efficient shooter, better passer and overall more versatile defender. To say one is better than the other purely on stats alone isn’t fair. This is due to the fact they are such different types of players that play the same position.
It depends on the team’s identity and needs that club in determining which would be better suited for the power forward role. Sixers head coach Brett Brown has always liked to play fast with spacing on offense, even if he hasn’t always had the best personal to do so. Defensively, Brown has always had his players grind on that end of the court.
Horford isn’t fast enough to run out in transition, but he can defend at a very high level, while also spacing the floor and pass the ball efficiently. Thus the reason why he fits in well at the power forward spot, even though the Sixers have All-Star center Joel Embiid. Horford and Embiid make a dynamic duo on defense, while Horford can also hold down the center spot if need be. Based on identity, Horford is the better option at power forward at the present time.
To say that ranking the either Horford or Harris above each other in terms of which is the better power forward isn’t really fair. Both a great at what they do best, which isn’t really comparable. The Philadelphia 76ers have their current power forward in Horford and Harris is more than capable of stepping up to the role whenever age Horford’s play begins to decline.